Yoga für Senioren

The senior yoga class is for everyone who might be a little bit older, but still wants to remain in good shape, mentally and physically. Yoga for seniors is a gentle style of Hatha Yoga, which focuses on relaxation and on training the breath, as well as on mild stretching and strengthening. The priority of this course lies in the therapeutic aspect of yoga with its ability to regenerate body and soul by integration.

March 2018

Airyoga Today

Mysore Style self-practice is the traditional, lineage based method of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as developed by guru Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, of Mysore, South India. It is a unique and powerful way of developing a yoga practice where individual growth is valued and honoured and all students from beginners to advanced practitioners learn side by side. A qualified teacher will guide students in their practice by introducing them to sun salutations, and then building on that foundation. Postures are taught sequentially, drawing from the Ashtanga set sequences, adding on postures over time. Practice is short initially and grows in duration over time. This approach allows for individual growth where the aptitude of the student determines the rate and need for development, thereby laying a strong foundation that will be of great benefit to any serious student of Yoga. As with all undertakings, commitment often determines progress. Everyone, especially beginners, are most welcome. We look forward to meeting you in the shala.

Conscious breathing, observing the mind, while practicing and deepening the classical asanas and sun salutations - these are the elements that let us experience yoga. Practice mindfulness for 60 or 90 minutes, without expectations and without ambitions.

Since her first encounter with Yoga in 1995, Gisela has practiced and studied with many amazing and gifted teachers. She has delved into Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga Vinyasa in Mysore, Anusara, Classical Hatha Yoga and Birthlight Pre + Postnatal and Well Woman Yoga. She has completed over 500-hours Yoga Alliance accredited training and many further education courses. She is a Training Tutor for Birthlight and leads international trainings in Perinatal Yoga.
Gisela has been teaching since 2004. By guiding her students through the physical form and focusing on the breath, she invites them to make their own inner explorations and discover the qualities of joy and gratitude that lie within themselves. Students appreciate her calm and positive manner, her precise and detailed instructions, and the mix of power and restoration that they take away from her classes.
Gisela's work in Birthlight Yoga has enriched her practice and teaching immensely. By freeing up the rigid physical form of asana to tune into the body's rhythms and seasons, we develop a deep awareness and confidence in our own intuitive wisdom. We promote trust, faith and acceptance for what is, and make space for what is to come. We foster self-nurture and gentleness towards ourselves, which we can then spread to those around us.
Gisela teaches her classes in English. For more information visit her website www.yogaprema.ch

A unique class, it was developed for mothers who want to continue their yoga practice a short time after childbirth and bring their newborn (from 6 weeks old until 8 months) with them. This class aims to build up the specific muscle groups after birth, to meet other new mothers and to have positive interaction with the baby. The atmosphere during class is extremely relaxed: Mothers can practice yoga while their baby sleeps nearby, or they can integrate the baby into their yoga practice. And, of course, there's plenty of time breaks to nurse the baby as necessary.

Yoga Nidra - „the sleep of the yogi“ - origines in the Himalayan Yoga traditions. Nowadays, Yoga Nidra is a highly efficient method of deep relaxation that has been systematized and modernized. Yoga Nidra helps us to completely relax and regenerate on a physical, mental and emotional level. At the same time it is vitalizing and invigorating.
In the first half an hour of the class we practice a gentle Vinyasa Flow. Then we dedicate ourselves completely to the practice of Yoga Nidra. As we lie in Savasana (corpse pose) for 25-30 minutes, the teacher guides us through a series of inner awareness exercises. Depending on the variation this is followed by a mental "journey" and visualizations. Thereby we reach a state between wakefulness and dream. In this state we can access deeper levels of our mind, the unconscious mind. After Yoga Nidra we feel refreshed and alert.
If practiced regularly, Yoga Nidra is a great source of health, strength, inspiration and joy.
No previous yoga experience is required for this class. It is suitable for everyone. Especially people that are frequently exposed to stress will draw great benefit.

After completing his studies in Environmental Science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Adrian lived for one year in Vancouver, Canada. It was there he was first introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Vipassana Meditation in 2002. In the following years Adrian's Yoga practice consisted in the regular practice of the Primary Series. Due to deep experiences with Vipassana meditation and with teacher plants, spirituality and self-transformation began to take a more important role in Adrian's life. This led him to travel to India, where he spent one year teaching Tibetan monks chemistry and biology, practicing asana on the roof of the Buddhist monastery, and diving deeper into eastern spiritual teachings. Currently his main focus is with Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Meditation. Adrian completed his yoga teacher training with Remo Rittiner in Zurich. Adrian's classes follow the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya, and are tailored to the student's needs. Dynamic Vinyasa Flow yoga, as well as gentle Ayur Yoga, fit perfectly well into his teaching repertoire. He is using elements like chanting, Yoga-Nidra or simple visualisations in his classes. With his scientific background, he understands well to build bridges between the old yogic wisdom and our modern worldview. Adrian teaches in German and English. He lives with his wife and son in Zurich. For more information please see www.oshadi-yoga.ch

The Ashtanga Lunch Flow class builds strength, balance and flexibility. The class is taught with simple postures, works for all levels and is suitable for anyone looking for a midday workout with all the benefits of Yoga. All students are welcome.

The senior yoga class is for everyone who might be a little bit older, but still wants to remain in good shape, mentally and physically. Yoga for seniors is a gentle style of Hatha Yoga, which focuses on relaxation and on training the breath, as well as on mild stretching and strengthening. The priority of this course lies in the therapeutic aspect of yoga with its ability to regenerate body and soul by integration.

Mira is a psychologist, a psychotherapist, and yoga teacher. She integrates yoga in her therapeutic work and founded an institute for training in Yoga Psychotherapy, YPT.
Mira initially studied religious science and philosophy, followed by psychology and body psychotherapy. Since 1990 she has been teaching different forms of body work. An accident in 2002 led her to Hatha Yoga, and after her first class it was clear to her that this was it! Body, psyche, and mind in harmony! All of her earlier studies and interests merged in Yoga. In 2009 she attended the Yoga Alliance training, followed by further trainings with Stephen Thomas and Michael Hamilton. Mira has deepened her learning through regular immersions and workshops with internationally recognized teachers such as Max Strom, Doug Keller, Josh Sommers, Richard Freeman, and others.
Mira offers Yoga for Seniors at AIRYOGA, a therapeutic yoga class for persons in the third phase of their life cycle. It is also suitable for those who have experienced trauma and injuries in the convalescence phase.
She teaches in German and English. To find out more please also visit www.miriampopper.ch

Conscious breathing, observing the mind, while practicing and deepening the classical asanas and sun salutations - these are the elements that let us experience yoga. Practice mindfulness for 60 or 90 minutes, without expectations and without ambitions.

Since her first encounter with yoga over 10 years ago, Monika's practice and teaching has focused more and more on this one moment - the here and now. We observe how our bodies and minds feel, and make space for this instant. Her commitment to her Ashtanga Yoga practice continues to guide her development and moves her away from the linear. Influential teachers on this path include Heidi Aemisegger, Stephen Thomas and Julie Martin.
In her teaching, Monika favors a holistic experience of the body. She values alignment, and encourages the practitioners to find their own expression of yoga. She invites her students to experience all of the aspects of the practice on the mat in their everyday lives as well - and also vice versa. Moments of stillness are interspersed with movement, and flowing transitions are just as important as the poses themselves.
Monika teaches in German and English. Please also visit her website www.lilayoga.ch

This class draws its inspiration from the sequences of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, which will vary to emphasize different aspects of the body, thereby exposing practitioners to a wider range of asanas in order to increase and challenge ones strength and flexibility. Moving through postures in a flow style will allow for smooth transitions while using the principles of vinyasa.

In this class we learn the basics of Vinyasa Yoga: different breathing techniques (Pranayama), Sun Salutations, classic postures and the union of breath and movement. The asanas are taught according to the level of the students and their individual needs with the teacher demonstrating the asanas for a clear understanding. The Yoga we practice in this class can be both calm and challenging; we practice with attention to learn the asanas properly and correctly. Yoga Basics is for anyone new to yoga. This class is specially designed for beginners but also serves as a powerful refresher for ongoing students who like to revisit specific aspects of their practice. Anyone can start anytime without prior reservation.

After completing his studies in Environmental Science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Adrian lived for one year in Vancouver, Canada. It was there he was first introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Vipassana Meditation in 2002. In the following years Adrian's Yoga practice consisted in the regular practice of the Primary Series. Due to deep experiences with Vipassana meditation and with teacher plants, spirituality and self-transformation began to take a more important role in Adrian's life. This led him to travel to India, where he spent one year teaching Tibetan monks chemistry and biology, practicing asana on the roof of the Buddhist monastery, and diving deeper into eastern spiritual teachings. Currently his main focus is with Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Meditation. Adrian completed his yoga teacher training with Remo Rittiner in Zurich. Adrian's classes follow the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya, and are tailored to the student's needs. Dynamic Vinyasa Flow yoga, as well as gentle Ayur Yoga, fit perfectly well into his teaching repertoire. He is using elements like chanting, Yoga-Nidra or simple visualisations in his classes. With his scientific background, he understands well to build bridges between the old yogic wisdom and our modern worldview. Adrian teaches in German and English. He lives with his wife and son in Zurich. For more information please see www.oshadi-yoga.ch

This class moves fluid and continuous through different yoga postures (asanas). An invigorating dance like yoga lesson. The classes are flowing at a moderate pace guided by detailed instruction. The postures are kept save and simple, focus on building strength, endurance and flexibility. Basic yoga experience is recommended.

Marie is fascinated by life. For many years she has been exploring the meaning of our existence and other themes such as happiness and fulfillment. Since 2008, yoga has been an essential and influential part of her life, spurring her to reset her priorities, to live a more conscious life, even allowing her to leave a stressful, demanding job, to discover her true calling.
Marie has been teaching yoga since 2011, sharing her joy for movement and life in a positive way with her students. Her style of Vinyasa Yoga is a choreography composed of strengthening and relaxing asanas, harmonic flows, meditation and inspiration for the mind and heart. Through her training in Coaching and Positive Psychology, Marie combines her knowledge of the body, mind and soul from a Western approach with the eastern teachings of yoga, Dharma and meditation in a creative manner. Marie lives in Zurich with her family. She teaches in German and English.
For more information about Marie please see her website under www.marie-licht.com

Conscious breathing, observing the mind, while practicing and deepening the classical asanas and sun salutations - these are the elements that let us experience yoga. Practice mindfulness for 60 or 90 minutes, without expectations and without ambitions.

Frank started growing in the Swiss Alps, then Zurich, New York and San Francisco. He lived in Vancouver, Canada, for 10 years. He received his Yoga teacher training from Ifat Erez in Canada and at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala, India, and studied Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley.
Frank is looking forward to show you the amazing journey of Yoga. His daily practice reflects in his classes which he leads with a strong sense for detail, individual safety and fun. For those who take his classes, it is a quiet lesson in self-exploration, opening up body and soul to the accept and work through the practice, which at times mirrors the challenges of life. Frank is teaching in German and English. He lives in Zurich, at times with his two kids.

This Vinyasa Flow class builds strength, balance and flexibility. The class is taught with simple postures, works for all levels and is suitable for anyone looking for a midday workout with all the benefits of Yoga. All students with basic yoga experience are welcome.

Frank started growing in the Swiss Alps, then Zurich, New York and San Francisco. He lived in Vancouver, Canada, for 10 years. He received his Yoga teacher training from Ifat Erez in Canada and at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala, India, and studied Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley.
Frank is looking forward to show you the amazing journey of Yoga. His daily practice reflects in his classes which he leads with a strong sense for detail, individual safety and fun. For those who take his classes, it is a quiet lesson in self-exploration, opening up body and soul to the accept and work through the practice, which at times mirrors the challenges of life. Frank is teaching in German and English. He lives in Zurich, at times with his two kids.

Conscious breathing, observing the mind, while practicing and deepening the classical asanas and sun salutations - these are the elements that let us experience yoga. Practice mindfulness for 60 or 90 minutes, without expectations and without ambitions.

Stephen has been a dedicated student of yoga since 1998. He has practiced, taught and lived in Asia and Europe for the past decade studying various traditions, which he incorporates into a unique yoga practice influenced and made possible by the grace and support of his central teachers.
Stephen’s background includes studies in Buddhism, Ayurveda and traditional Hatha yoga in India. In Asia, he continues an in-depth study of traditional Pranayama and Kriya through his master, O.P.Tiwari, which he combines with his love for the Asana practices that stem from his experience with Krishnamacharya’s work and influence on the Ashtanga Vinyasa and Iyengar systems of yoga. He also brings in elements of the Chinese and Tibetan systems where appropriate.
Stephen is an avid reader and student of Eastern philosophies and a lifelong lover of the arts and music. His ability to re-frame various viewpoints and to simplify things without sacrificing depth and integrity has helped him develop a unique, non-dogmatic but deeply rooted teaching style. His works spans Meditation, Pranayama, Asana and the commitment to seeing the practice off the mat. He uses these methods as tools for health and wellbeing and to support the spiritual pursuit of living life courageously and compassionately from one’s heart.
Stephen teaches classes and workshops at AIRYOGA in Zurich, as well as spending a part of each year traveling as a guest instructor and teaching retreats throughout the world. He also dedicates energy each year to directing Teacher Intensive Trainings and ongoing education and works one-on-one with many students and teachers in his community. Stephen teaches in English.
To find out more please visit www.yoga-svarupa.com

In this class, the basics of hatha yoga are being taught and practiced: conscious breathing, observing the mind, while practicing and deepening the classical asanas and sun salutations - these are the elements that let us experience yoga. Practice mindfulness for 90 minutes, without expectations and without ambitions. A great class to start out practicing yoga.

After her Primary school teacher education, Natalia completed her Theatre and Dance education in Zurich. She then moved to Amsterdam to deepen her studies in contemporary dance at the SNDO (School for new dance development). In the following years, she got the opportunity to perform in Germany and Switzerland.
Throughout her journey as a professional dancer, Natalia got influenced and inspired by Yoga Asanas, Body Mind Centering, Contact Improvisation and Thai Chi. By pursuing her desire to share the gift of yoga with others, she has attended the 2013 Teacher Training at AIRYOGA with Stephen Thomas.
Natalia’s classes are dynamic and powerful. She emphasizes on alignment and a steady connection to the breath and to support that, she offers verbal and hands on adjustments. Students can expect to learn to find balance on and off the mat in each of her classes. Natalia teaches in German and English.
To find out more please visit www.yoga-mit-natalia.com

Yin Yoga is a complementary yoga practice to the more dynamic and invigorating yoga styles. In Yin Yoga, floor postures are held passively for several minutes in order to access a safe and positive 'stress' on the deep layers of connective tissue in the body (especially around joints, in the lower back and along the spine).
Yin Yoga nurtures energetic balance, relaxes us closer to the skeleton and opens the subtle energy channels to let energy (chi, prana, etc.) flow freely again. This leads us to experience a profound sense of inner calm, which allows us to sit in meditation more peacefully.
This practice is appropriate for students of all levels, especially recommended for Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga practitioners.

Frank started growing in the Swiss Alps, then Zurich, New York and San Francisco. He lived in Vancouver, Canada, for 10 years. He received his Yoga teacher training from Ifat Erez in Canada and at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala, India, and studied Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley.
Frank is looking forward to show you the amazing journey of Yoga. His daily practice reflects in his classes which he leads with a strong sense for detail, individual safety and fun. For those who take his classes, it is a quiet lesson in self-exploration, opening up body and soul to the accept and work through the practice, which at times mirrors the challenges of life. Frank is teaching in German and English. He lives in Zurich, at times with his two kids.